Melbourne Police traffic homicide investigators continue to examine details of a deadly crash at the 18th annual Florida Marathon and Half Marathon, one which claimed the life of a 74-year-old runner hit by a vehicle driven past secured lines.
The runner, identified as Albert Swann III, an avid marathon runner and golfer from St. Simons Island, was critically injured during the Feb. 8 incident. He died from his injuries on Feb. 16, police confirmed.
Melbourne police had closed off several streets for the duration of the race, including Front Street. As the race got underway, a Chevy SUV rolled through the blocked-off course and crossed into the dedicated runner lane, striking Swann, organizers and police reported.
“We have an active and ongoing investigation right now,” said Sgt. Ben Slover of the Melbourne Police Department.
“This was extremely unusual, especially with the steps we go through from blocking off the race area and coordinating with organizers. We do several of these types of events a year. I’ve been here 23 years, and this is the first (fatality) I’ve seen.”
The driver of the SUV involved in the crash has not been charged or identified by police pending the outcome of the investigation.
“We are saddened by (Swann’s) death,” said Mitch Varnes, who serves as race director.
“We are deflecting all questions to the Melbourne Police Department.”
A social media post attributed to the Florida Marathon spoke to Swann’s sports accomplishments.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that A.J. Swann, of St. Simons Island, Georgia, passed away this week due to injuries sustained in the accident,” the post read.
“(Swann) was an avid and accomplished runner having completed nine marathons, 30 half-marathons and scores of 10k and 5k races … A.J. loved running and the camaraderie he shared with his fellow runners. He will be very much missed by his running friends and race events staff.”
The race, which attracted 2,600 participants, started at 6:30 a.m. with a half-marathon on Sunday, Feb. 8, with runners gathering on a vacant piece of private property at the intersection of New Haven Avenue and U.S. 1. The weather was clear, with mostly sunny skies and cooler temperatures in the morning.
Traffic homicide investigators will review a number of reports before completing a crash report on the case, including speeds, whether there were distractions for the driver and eyewitness accounts.
Family members and friends planned to hold a memorial service for Swann on St. Simons Island on March 1.
Swann’s son, Lee Swann, declined to comment.
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X:@JDGallop.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Melbourne police investigate crash which led to death of marathon runner
Reporting by J.D. Gallop, Florida Today / Florida Today
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